Rafael Viñoly Architects was tapped to design the new state-of-the-art facility, which will eventually replace the current 1959 facility that does not meet code for seismic activity or have enough space. The hospital is unlike most hospital designs and sticks to the general model for all Stanford campus buildings, which is a low and horizontal building surrounding in courtyard space. At seven stories high though, the new Stanford Hospital will actually be the tallest building in the area, except for Hoover Tower, which is more of a spire.

Set on solid bases where the surgery, diagnostic and treatment rooms are located, the hospital rooms will be set in glass cubes above, flooded with natural daylight and look down on the courtyards, meditation spaces and roof gardens. Daylighting is a prominent feature throughout the facility and is featured in the main entrance atrium as well as in each hospital room. Motorized blinds will track the sun and reduce heat gain.

Based on modularity, the facility is composed of a universal module measuring roughly 120 x 120 feet (36.3 x 36.6 meters), which is deployed in a checkerboard pattern to generate a floor plan with hospital functions alternating with open spaces. Rafael Viñoly Architects is working with L.A. firm Lee, Burkhart, Liu on the healthcare design and many Bay Area tech companies have pledged money in support of the facility.